Home » Tanzania Kenya » Mount Kilimanjaro (Machame Route), Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater - May 1999

In February 1999 me and Kasia Janota decided that we wanted to go to Africa to climb Mount Kilimanjaro and to see other places. We did some research on the Internet and we found a company that provided reasonable outfitting resources.

Mount Kilimanjaro (Machame Route), Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater - May 1999

TH
2004-08-08 22:11:03

Displayed times (last time: )

I was not worried too much about it - it can happen to everybody. After steep ascent we entered Shira Plateau. It was very nice to sit and see how high we have already climbed. At this point we realized that we were above cloud level we could see Mount Meru some 80 km away. After another hour walk we stopped at Shira Caves where Ben selected place to camp. We had to wait for the porters - it took them longer than us to climb. Once they reached the camp they put our tent up so we could rest before diner. It was not easy to cook at altitude of circa 3 650 m. Cook needed over an hour to prepare meal. After the dinner we did not spend much time outside the tent: it was getting cold, we were tired and there was not much light.

DAY FIVE: 24 MAY From the Shira Plateau we continued to the east passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo, as we continued our direction changed to South East towards the Lava Tower, we came to the second junction which brought us up to the Arrow Glacier, we have now reached an altitude of 4 600 m we now continued down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 3 900m, here we rested enjoying dinner and overnight. We did not see any other climbers on the way to Kilimanjaro. It seems that it was just before regular trekking season.

DAY SIX: 25 MAY After breakfast we left Barranco and continued on a steep ridge passing the Barranco wall passing through the Karanga Valley and the junction that connects with the Mweka trail. We continued to the Barafu Hut which is located at al altitude of 4 600m. Here we made camp, rest and enjoyed dinner. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo were seen from this position.

DAY SEVEN: 26 MAY Early morning we continued our ascent to Stella Point, 5 745m, on our way to the summit, Uhuru Peak at 5898m. This part of the climb takes about 6 hours. We have now reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the highest point in Africa. ...